Kythnos is the first island one meets on the way to the west Cyclades, between Kea and Serifos, 52 nautical miles away from Pireus and less than 2 hours from Lavrio. In contrast to the rest of the Cyclades, Kythnos preserves its wild beauty intact, remaining unique, hospitable and charming within its simplicity. It still maintains manners and customs and the inhabitants welcoming visitors to the island with open arms.

It is the ideal holiday destination for those who love simplicity, being close to nature and of course tradition; the festivals in Kythnos, the feasts with the violin and the lute as well as the folk dance of Kythnos (named “Thermiotikos balos”) offer visitors the opportunity to enjoy another lifestyle along with the inhabitants.

Kythnos has been called “Thermia” since the 12th century when it was first referred to as “Diocese of Kea and Kythnos”. The name “Thermia” is due to the hot springs of water existing to this day at the bay Loutra. It is said that King Othon and Queen Amalia (1837-1862) enjoyed their thermal baths at Loutra.

A flourishing Ionian colony was established in Kythnos by kestoras and kelyfos during antiquity.

The ancient Kythnians were involved with merchant marine. During the Persian Wars, they denied forming a coalition with the Persian King and fought with a trireme and a 50 towed ship. The ancient state of Kythnos was renowned for its good government and for this reason Aristotle made a special study on Kythnos in his work “Peri Kythnion Politeias”; unfortunately, this piece of work has not been saved.

Furhermore, the ancient Kythnians excelled in letters and arts and the brought Timanthis and Kydias to prominence.

Kythnos had a major part in antiquity due to its location. Filip V, the king of Macedonia, deployed his army in Kyhtnos to check the roman attacks in 202 B.C. Indeed, after the Fall of Andras in 199 B.C. , the Romans tried to occupy Kythnos, but they failed. After a long siege they were forced to abandon the island because of its resistant fortification.

One can find tracks of ancient cities on the south-west of the island , at Rigokastro of Evraiokastro, and on the north-west, at Kefalokastro.

Kefalokastro seems to have been the capital of the island, but because of treason, it was destroyed by the Turks, in the 16th century.

Kythnos was also used by the Romans as a place of exile. But it because even more known from a fearless pirate called Nero. A large expedition was organized against him by Kalpournios Asprenatos, but the only managed to capture and kill pseudo – Nero.

FRANKS - TURKS - RUSSIANS

During the occupation of the Franks, the island was governed by several Houses such as the Sanoudes and the Kasteli from 1207 to 1537, when the Turks occupied it.

In 1600, the Turks slaughtered all males and consequently the island was almost deserted. During the following century, the inhabitants, most of which came from the nearly islands, numbered from 1000 to 3000.

In 1770, Kythnos was occupied by the Russians and they installed a governor – commissioner and four trustees to be in command. When the Russians left Kythnos 4 years later, they took with them many antique items.

Wedding custom: The wedding customs both in Chora and in Dryopida are of a special interest. The wedding is a happy event for the residents. Everyone participates during its preparation and they all enjoy it while at the same time they wish the newlyweds. At a traditional wedding, there are no invitation cards as everyone is invited!

Carnival: On Shrove Thursday several festive events are held in Dryopida; the young ones wear their traditional costumes and dance “balos” in the alleys. Some other events are organized in Chora on the same day; there, the residents wear impromptu fancy-dress costumes. If found on the island, it is worth attending these events. You will get the smell of grilled meat coming from the barbecues at the squares and you will also listen to the sound of the bagpipe-the traditional wind instrument.

On the last Sunday of the Carnival, Chora “welcomes Lazanis”-the king of the Carnival of Kythnos. In Dryopida the Carnival is celebrated with a cheerful feast.

Agioi Theodoroi: The custom of “The big of Agioi Theodoroi is an equally interesting event. Young boys and girls light a big fire and jump over it so as to maintain strength and health.

Orthodoxy Sunday: is also specially honored in Dryopida. After attending the Mass, the locals take the icons all over the village. The young men carry a nicely decorated basket and escorted by traditional musical instruments, they collect eggs from all the houses and the same time they are treated with tidbits and wine.

Easter Monday: On Easter Monday the customs of the Swing takes place in Chora. A big swing is set up at the central square and young men and women swing wearing traditional costumes.

Those couples that swing together are on the spot committed to each other and to get married soon. Afterwards, there are treatments, foods and drinks, as well as traditional dances.

May 1st: On May Day Eve, the young men pick flowers from various yards to hang them on their beloved ones doors. They are escorted by musical instruments and they sing the tune of May: “… May has come sweetheart, summer is here, it’s time we became a couple…” (Translation of the greek lyrics)

Kythnos Island, Cyclades Beaches

Overview

Map

Kolona Beach

Kythnos Island, CycladesKolona beach is probably one of the most beautiful beaches of Kythnos and the whole Cyclades islands and without a doubt a pleasant surprise to the visitor.
A strip of sand splits the sea in two, forming two beaches on the same seashore.
The...View More

Apokrousi Beach

Apokrisi, Kythnos, Kythnos Island, CycladesApokrousi is one of the longest sandy beaches of Kythnos with tamarisk trees which offer shade.View More

Apokrousi Beach

Simousi Beach

Kythnos Island, CycladesSimousi is a quiet beach on the southeast coast of Kythnos island.View More

Simousi Beach

Schinari Beach

Loutra, Kythnos, Kythnos Island, CycladesA small beach, sheltered from wind, next to Loutra.View More

Schinari Beach

Lefkes Beach

Lefkes, Kythnos, Kythnos Island, CycladesLefkes beach is located next to the settlement of the same name.
It has sand and pebbles and it offers enough shade from the tamarisk trees.View More

Lefkes Beach

Zogaki Beach

Kythnos Island, CycladesZogkaki beach is the southernmost of the three beaches, Naousa, Kouri, Zogkaki, all of which are joined with steps.
It is located on the east coast of Kythnos island.
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Agios Dimitrios, Kythnos, Kythnos Island, CycladesAgios Dimitrios is a beautiful beach on the south coast of Kythnos island.View More

Agios Dimitrios Beach

Agios Stefanos Beach

Agios Stefanos, Kythnos, Kythnos Island, CycladesAgios Stefanos is a well protected beach on the east coast of Kythnos island.
It has sand, pebbles and ample shade offered by the tamarisks which can be found all along the beach.View More

Agios Stefanos Beach

Martinakia Beach

Merichas, Kythnos, Kythnos Island, CycladesA small beach, the first one meets leaving Merichas and heading to Loutra.View More

Martinakia Beach

Merichas Beach

Merichas, Kythnos, Kythnos Island, CycladesThe seashore of Merichas beach has crystal clear water and fine grains of sand.View More

Merichas Beach

Skilos Beach

Skilos, Kythnos, Kythnos Island, CycladesSkilos beach is a well known sandy beach on the south east coast of Kythnos island.View More

Episkopi, Kythnos, Kythnos Island, CycladesEpiskopi is a beautiful bay, sheltered from wind, sandy and full of tamarisk trees.View More

Episkopi Beach

Kalo Livadi Beach

Kalo Livadi, Kythnos, Kythnos Island, CycladesKalo Livadi beach is located on the east coast of Kythnos island.
Panaghia Kalolivadiotisa church stands on a rock above the sea.View More

Kalo Livadi Beach

Loutra Beach

Loutra, Kythnos, Kythnos Island, CycladesLoutra is the beautiful beach of the settlement with the same name.
If you dive into the water on one of its sides you can enjoy the beneficial qualities of the thermal spring waters which end up in the bay.View More

Kythnos Island, CycladesPetrousa is a small beach, on the southernmost part of Kythnos island, facing eastwards, accessible through Agios Dimitrios.View More

Petrousa Beach

Megali Ammos Beach

Kanala, Kythnos, Kythnos Island, CycladesMegali Ammos in Kanala is a big sandy beach, just as its name (in Greek) suggests.
It is located below the church of Panaghia Kanala, on the right bay.
On the left bay of the church you can swim at the beach Antonides.View More

Megali Ammos Beach

Gaidouromantra Beach

Gaidouromantra, Kythnos, Kythnos Island, CycladesGaidouromandra is a big beach with crystal clear water, located in the south eastern part of Kythnos island.View More

Gaidouromantra Beach

Stifo Beach

Kythnos Island, CycladesStifo is a picturesque, quiet beach on the way to Ag. Dimitrios in Kythnos island.View More

Kythnos Town, Kythnos, Kythnos Island, CycladesIt is located in Chora. Before entering, pay attention to the inscription above the door where the building date has been inscribed (1613).
Source: www.kythnos.grView More

Agios Savvas Church

Ecclesiastical Museum of Dryopida

Dryopida, Kythnos, Kythnos Island, CycladesIn Agios Georgios church, in Dryopida, an ecclesiastical museum is hosted in a specially modified room.
It was created after the initiative of priest Konstantinos Gonidis.
In this museum there are several ecclesiastical exhibits...View More

Ecclesiastical Museum of Dryopida

Maroulas Ancient Settlement

Loutra, Kythnos, Kythnos Island, CycladesSome archaeological findings in Maroulas, Kythnos reveal that the island was inhabited throughout the Mesolithic Period (9.000 -8.000 B.C.).
Several findings from the open air settlement which was used as a refueling station or a...View More

Maroulas Ancient Settlement

Archaeological Site of Vrιokastro

Episkopi, Kythnos, Kythnos Island, CycladesThe most important site in times is Vryokastro of Rigokastro, as it is called today; it is on the NW side of the island and according to the ancient sources it was called Kythnos.
The surface research in 1990 – 1995 brought to light...View More

Archaeological Site of Vrιokastro

Kythnos Thermal Spa

Loutra, Kythnos, Kythnos Island, CycladesThe thermal springs are the only ones in the Cyclades and they are actually two in number.
The first one – named Agioi Anargiroi is located inside the spa facilities, while the second one- named The spring of Caucasus- is 50m from...View More

Kythnos Thermal Spa

Kastro Orias

Kythnos Island, CycladesThere are many establishments of historic times. Several circular and rectangular towers from the classic ages stand out. The fortified acropolis, which is called Oria Castle today, is on the North steep side of the island. That acropolis...View More

Kastro Orias

Panagia Kanala Church

Kanala, Kythnos, Kythnos Island, CycladesPanaghia Kanala is located in a seaside settlement of the same name on the southeast part of the island; it is one of the most important sacred shrines in the Cyclades since the icon is considered to be thaumaturgical. According to...View More

Panagia Kanala Church

Agios Minas Church

Dryopida, Kythnos, Kythnos Island, CycladesIt holds a prominent position in Dryopida. It worth visiting to admire the amazing carved wooden screen, its unique folk bishop’s throne and also its brilliant canopy over the bier cloth.
Source: www.kythnos.grView More

Episkopi, Kythnos, Kythnos Island, CycladesThe underwater research and the excavation of the ancient harbour of Vryokastro in Mandraki bay started in 2005 and are still in progress.
At the sea bottom the foundations of coastal walls have been located. In addition, a breakwater...View More

Ancient Port of Vryokastro

Folklore Museum of Kythnos

Dryopida, Kythnos, Kythnos Island, CycladesThe Folklore Museum of Kythnos is in Dryopida and hosts items that were used on a daily basis in Kythnos in the previous years, items of folk art, as well as traditional local costumes.
The museum is an old residence which has been...View More

Folklore Museum of Kythnos

Archaeological Site of Kastellas

Flampouria, Kythnos, Kythnos Island, CycladesOn the other side of the island on the SW coast, it seems that one more fortified acropolis was established, Kastellas; it was founded in the early historic ages but it was abandoned at the end of the archaic period.View More

Archaeological Site of Kastellas

Panagia tou Nikous Monastery

Kythnos Town, Kythnos, Kythnos Island, CycladesThe Monastery of Panagia tou Nikous is situated at a small distance from Chora, the capital of the island. The monastery was named after the Byzantine “Panagia Nikopios” and was built -like other churches of the island –...View More

Apokrisi, Kythnos, Kythnos Island, CycladesAt the top of the acropolis stands an important sanctuary which-according to the surface findings- was in use from the end of the 8th century B.C. up to the 1st century A.D.
You can notice the remnants of the least four buildings...View More

Kythnos Town, Kythnos, Kythnos Island, CycladesAt the entrance of Chora lies the "Messaria" restaurant.In a comfortable and friendly environment you can enjoy homemade food and local cuisine including delicious pork, home grown lamb, rabbit, kleftiko, Veal Messaria and other...View More

Messaria Restaurant

Arias Restaurant

Agia Irini, Kythnos, Kythnos Island, CycladesCaptain Konstantis Vlastaris, lighthouse keeper, and landlord of the small bay of Agia Irini left his small fish tavern as a heritage to his children.They took over and created what is now “Arias” Today, his grandson...View More

Merichas, Kythnos, Kythnos Island, CycladesA traditional stone building with a wonderful view over the endless blue of the Aegean and the Cycladic sunset, with music from all over the world, is situated at the slope of the hill of Meriha's port and is waiting for you to enjoy...View More

Episkopi, Kythnos, Kythnos Island, CycladesPountaki Beach Bar is made traditionally with wood and stones. It also combines modern lounge decoration, with relaxing sofas and pillows, bar style tables, quite or busy spots for romantic or celebrating times. We serve coffees, breakfast,...View More